Status of palace restoration?

[Scott]

Has anyone seen the condition of the rooms currently occupied by the Navy?  Do they look like office space - with cubicles, desks and file cabinets?

Also, does anyone know the exact purpose/job of the Naval Staff in the Palace?  Exactly what do they do?  Seems like a rather odd location for a Naval post.

[Laura Mabee]

I am sure that every donation shoud be sent attn to Mr. Sautov, director of museum complex "Tsarskoe Selo"
He would be very glad.
(So Museum could buy some furniture or things for AP for donation money)

Thanks Hikaru!
Does anyone know what the address is for Mr. Sautov?
I looked it up online to no avail

[helenazar]

Does anyone know what the address is for Mr. Sautov?
 

Laura,

Dr Sautov's office is at the Catherine Palace, or rather the extention. He is a really busy guy, so I doubt that he would respond to emails, but you may want to contact Olga Filimonova who is their international liason person, and she is very nice and may respond if you write to her. Her email address should be listed on the website. I just want to mention that I am not so sure that things are as simple as someone sending a donation and it goes where it's supposed to go. Things are really complicated here in Russia, and they don't always make sense, everything is like that! Alas, I have been finding this out all month now  .
Helen

[helenazar]

Has anyone seen the condition of the rooms currently occupied by the Navy?  Do they look like office space - with cubicles, desks and file cabinets?

Also, does anyone know the exact purpose/job of the Naval Staff in the Palace?  Exactly what do they do?  Seems like a rather odd location for a Naval post.

They don't let anyone in there. The government has been in there ever since WWII, so theyjust continue occupyingthe space. It's not so easy to get everything out... there is a lot of politics and beaurocracy going on... So this is why at this point no one can say for sure when things are going to happen.

[hikaru]

I know that Mr. Sautov personally deals with everything about donation and any payment to museum. He will welcome any.
Anything ,All letters about all things connected with museum should be written attn to Mr. Sautov.
He will decide himself, who will be person in charge for every mattter.
Fax/Tel.NO. (812) 465 21 96
Tel.No. of secretariat 465 30 98

[helenazar]

Try contacting Dr Sautov and hopefully he will respond, but if you don't get anywhere that way, I would still suggest contacting Olga Filimonova, and she can pass  things on to him, hopefully.

I am not sure if they actually have some fund for cash donations from abroad, but I was told that there is a group of Americans and British, who regularly purchase antique items at auctions, items that either once belonged to the palace (both CP and AP I believe) or things that are analogous, fromt the same period, area  or maker, etc. These people then donate these things to the museum. This group is called "Friends of TS Museum" or something to that effect, and they come there every year and are given a reception and shown around.

I think that it is a lot more complicated with cash donations, and this is why they tend to do it this way. But I can try to reconfirm if there is some sort of a fund that accepts cash donations for the AP.

[Dominic_Albanese]

Hi - great, great thoughts to send $ to the Palace.  I work for a VP of Development (Fundraising) at a mid-sized medical center and have worked in fundraising my entire career.

The point about it being complicated is very true.  I strongly urge that you do not drop a check in the mail.  and hope it gets where you want it to be.

A suggestion would be this.  If there is an interest in making a donation to the AP that one of us should contact the palace, tell them of our interest, find out what their highest priority is and than send you money to a key individual who is accountable and responsible for making sure the funds are being used the way agreed to.

Even the best intentioned recipents can sometime let a donor down.  It is important that there be clarity betweem the donor and recipient, otherwise the donor looses (he/she doesn't get their money where they want it to go) and the recipient looses (the Institution looses the opportunity to establish a relationship with the donor that might result in further donations).

best,
dca

[Laura Mabee]

Thank you so much everyone for the information!
I appreciate the time and your patience very much!

[Forum Admin]

Dr. Sautov speaks no English.
Olga Filimonova reads all of the English language emails to his address. Helen is quite right about it not being as easy as just sending money, like to a US museum. I urge you NOT to telephone his office, although a fax may be ok.

Tsaria is quite familiar with the process and people involved. I strongly suggest that you contact her about it. Please be PATIENT if you don't get a reply right away as she is rather pre-occupied with family issues. She WILL get back to you when she is able, I'm sure.

[hikaru]

I gave tel/fax No. meaning only official letter.
(Maybe, it is better to write in in Russian?)
If you want to help some restoration work of AP or help to purchase the furniture just wrote it. They will send the answer what they need.
But I think , the better way is to send letter, then to come and meet with Mr. Sautov or person in charge etc. who will say what they are planning to do with your money .